Cycling is also being promoted as environmentally-friendly

People will be encouraged to come along and try out a range of bicycles at a number of roadshows to make them aware of the benefits of healthy transport.

County health officials are warning that rates of obesity in the county are higher then the national average.

The Cornwall Festival of Cycling runs from 3 July to 9 July.

The problem of obesity in the county is worse among women. One in four women (25%) is believed to be obese in the county, compared to national figures of 23%.

Now councils, the county's Health Action Zone, rural transport partnerships and other organisations are working together to run the cycling festival.

It is hoped it will encourage more people to take up cycling as a means of keeping fit and to promote environmentally friendly transport.